Africa’s 2025 Innovators: AI-Driven Banking and Fintech Solutions Transform Financial Inclusion

The Innovators 2025: Africa Award Winners

June 10, 2025

The banking sector in Africa is advancing through AI integration, tackling tasks from asset tracing to debt recovery. This shift is raising standards for innovation across the continent. Global Finance recognizes the standout innovators of 2025 in Africa, highlighting banks and fintech companies that are reshaping financial services.

Regional Winners

Most Innovative Bank in Africa | NEDBANK MOZAMBIQUE

Nedbank Mozambique has upgraded its services with digital tools that simplify customer transactions. Clients can easily transfer funds to mobile wallets or move cash from prepaid cards to Nedbank accounts through multiple digital channels.

The bank introduced NedChat, an AI-powered chatbot providing employees instant access to information on products, services, and policies. This tool streamlines workflows and improves productivity. In risk management, NedCreditAnalysis uses generative AI to extract and analyze financial document data for credit decisions across various products.

For cybersecurity, Nedbank binds each customer account to a unique device identifier, reducing unauthorized access and preventing identity theft.

Most Innovative Financial Technology Company in Africa | MNT – HALAN

MNT-Halan focuses on increasing financial access for underserved consumers and businesses, boasting over 2.4 million active users each quarter. Originally a ride-hailing app, Halan evolved into a lending platform that uses automation for loan underwriting and origination.

Its proprietary API-first core banking software, Neuron, connects users, merchants, loan agents, and branches securely across multiple currencies. Supporting more than 11 million customers—54% of whom are women—MNT-Halan has made strides in financial inclusion in Egypt by providing affordable solutions for the unbanked.

Innovations in Finance Globally From Africa

Iogate | ABSA

Absa’s Iogate API helps digitize the traditionally paper-heavy trade finance sector by enabling secure connections to third-party fintechs. This integration allows Absa to adopt new technologies without interrupting existing workflows.

Iogate uses advanced orchestration to deliver faster, cost-effective trade solutions and a flexible infrastructure. It supports personalized client products by integrating a variety of fintech services.

SMART TPE | BANQUE SAHELO-SAHARIENNE POUR L’INVESTISSEMENT ET LE COMMERCE (BSIC SENEGAL)

BSIC Sénégal introduced SMART TPE, a contactless payment system enabling merchants to accept mobile payments via bank cards or digital wallets using electronic terminals. This innovation accelerates fund transfers directly to merchants’ BSIC accounts, improving cash flow.

Customers benefit by using digital wallets for convenient, secure payments, enhancing their overall experience.

First-Ever Sectoral Funds in the Egyptian Market | BELTONE ASSET MANAGEMENT

Egyptian retail investors previously lacked options for sector-specific investing on the EGX. Beltone Asset Management launched four sector funds aligned with real-time market trends: Real Estate, Financial, Consumer, and Industrial.

These funds provide strategic investment opportunities and are accessible through fintech partnerships, broadening client reach.

Digital Account Opening | IIB WEST AFRICA

Opening a bank account in Cabo Verde used to require multiple in-person steps and paperwork. iibCV now offers a digital platform that lets customers open accounts online with automatic verification and authentication technologies.

This platform complies with banking standards and regulations, simplifying the process and saving time for both customers and the bank.

La Cagnotte by SoGe | SOCIETE GENERALE MAROC

Societe Generale Maroc launched SoGé cagnotte, a savings management tool integrated within its digital banking app. The app allows users to set up to five personalized savings goals, each with target amounts and deadlines.

This digital piggy bank approach helps customers manage budgets and improve their financial health.

Robin Hood Unclaimed Benefits Solution, Powered by Standard Bank | STANDARD BANK

South Africa holds over R90 billion in unclaimed assets linked to more than 8 million residents. Robin Hood developed an AI-driven solution to match beneficiaries with these assets.

Standard Bank supports this initiative via its OneHub platform. Starting with dividend and pension books totaling R1 billion, the project has already returned over R10 million to more than 6,000 beneficiaries.

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